Prospects for Social and Economic Development of Krasnodar Krai in the Context of National Transport Infrastructural Projects

Abstract

The discrepancy between the pace of economic growth rates, needs of enterprises and population for transportation, quality of the road network is a significant infrastructural limitation for growth. The paper is devoted to the analysis of large scale investment projects aimed at the removal of infrastructural restrictions, i.e. the national project “Secure and High-Quality Roads” and “Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of Main Infrastructure”. It is noted that the project “Secure and High-Quality Roads” for Krasnodar Krai will become a prerequisite for the effectiveness of transport infrastructure. “Comprehensive Plan for the Modernization and Expansion of the Main Infrastructure” including such federal projects as “Europe – Western China”, “Sea Ports of Russia”, “Northern Sea Route”, “Railway Transport and Transit”, “Transport and Logistics Centers”, “Communications Between the Centers of Economic Growth”, “Development of Regional Airports and Routes”, “High-Speed Rail Links”, “Inland Waterways” will increase the investment activity in the transport sector of the region. The paper presents the results of statistical analysis aimed at the identification of significant economic effect from capital investments in the road infrastructure of Krasnodar Krai. It is revealed that investments into transport and communications stimulate the economic growth and also reduce the accident rate on highways in the long run. In addition, the increase in the density of paved public roads stimulates the passenger turnover in the short run and is also a significant factor in the reduction of the accident rate. The downward trend of paved roads in the total length of roads indicates the necessity to invest in the improvement of the quality of existing roads. The author emphasizes that in order to achieve the goals mentioned in the infrastructural projects under analysis, it is necessary to improve the monitoring system of content and development of the infrastructural frame of the territory, evaluate the effectiveness of administrative decisions for the accomplishment of the goals indicated in the infrastructural projects under analysis.